About YWCA Cambridge
Empowering Our Community for Over 75 Years
We champion gender equity through impactful leadership, advocacy, and program delivery.
A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
Our Story
For over 75 years, we’ve led the charge for women’s rights and gender equity. As a member agency of YWCA Canada, we’re part of the nation’s oldest and largest gender justice movement to provide shelter, literacy, life skills, employment and counselling programs, and child care services.
Founded in 1948 by visionary women in Galt (now Cambridge), we began as a safe residence for single women and mothers.
As the world changed over the years, so did we. Today, our commitment to building a just and equitable world for all is stronger than ever.
We’re here for you through essential services like child care, employment skills training, and gender-based violence prevention workshops.
We believe that together, we can create a brighter future.
The Latest News
Our Work
Decades since we began, our efforts are still sparking meaningful, positive changes in the community.
These statistics represent only a small portion of the thousands of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals we help empower.
Summer Camp
600+ Summer Campers every year.
81% of Campers are repeat attendees!
Students Reached
500+ Students reached each year through Roots of Empathy.
94% of children in ROE understand others' feelings better at the end of the program.
Education
550 Youths informed through GBV Prevention workshops every year.
100% of educators agreed that workshops helped students identify healthy ways of interacting with their peers.
Summer Camp
600+ Summer Campers every year.
81% of Campers are repeat attendees!
Students Reached
500+ Students reached each year through Roots of Empathy.
94% of children in ROE understand others' feelings better at the end of the program.
Education
550 Youths informed through GBV Prevention workshops every year.
100% of educators agreed that workshops helped students identify healthy ways of interacting with their peers.
Our organization is driven by passionate individuals working together to support our community through programming, outreach, child care services, and more!
ADVANCING GENDER EQUITY
For a community where everyone feels safe, valued, and equal.
We’re continually renewing our commitment to gender equity and responding to the needs in our community — through policy analysis, campaigns, research, coalition building, programming, and more.
Advocacy
We push for systemic solutions to critical gender equity issues, including women’s homelessness, employment, and child care.
We engage with officials in local, regional, and national governments by presenting research and case studies, calling for increased funding, and giving a voice to those in our community in meetings with other leaders.
Thought leadership helps us highlight and address the experiences of women and gender-diverse individuals. We engage our community with new perspectives through podcasts, public education events, and collaborative research projects.
In 2023, we reached a major milestone by making the case for and receiving Regional Council support to establish the first women’s emergency homeless shelter in Cambridge.
We understand the immediate needs of our community and help equip women, girls, children, and gender-diverse individuals with essential skills and knowledge.
Together, we address issues like gender-based violence, healthy relationships, and financial literacy. We also support women and families with child care services in over 400 licensed spaces in Cambridge.
Our Values
Women's Leadership
Working with and for women, from a woman’s perspective and leadership, to achieve equity and equality for all.
Accountability
Managing our organization in a way that aligns with our stakeholders, participants, volunteers, mission, vision, and values.
Community-Mindedness
Being a part of a local, national and global community, we believe in and support the growth of healthy communities.
Equity
Fostering an environment of equity and open-mindedness to ensure that individual voices are heard.
Accessibility
Committed to being accessible and welcoming to all people who participate in our work, programs, and services.
Self-Determination
Believing in the fundamental right and responsibility of women and girls to make choices regarding their lives, and supporting them in those choices.
Inclusion
Respecting the dignity and diversity of our participants, staff, and volunteers, and encouraging them to reach their full potential.
Annual Reports
Our annual reports help us to reflect on our work, successes, challenges, and plans for moving forward.
Check out some of our recent reports below!
Our Impact
Participant-Led, Responsive Programs
“Everything the YWCA does is a lot more caring and gentle and participant-led… everyone has a space to speak; everyone has a space to belong.”
— Charlotte
By involving participants in the design and implementation of our programs, we create a dynamic environment that adapts and promotes inclusion.
We aim to address participants’ needs and strengths in a responsive approach through positive role models. They’re invited to share experiences, challenge harmful stereotypes, and recognize their talents, with equal opportunities to develop new skills.